To ensure water consumers are billed correctly and the loss of non-revenue water is reduced, the metro is continuing with its R16-million project to replace 10 000 water meters that have exceeded their lifespan.
Non-revenue water (NRW) is water which is pumped into the metro’s water supply network, from Rand Water, but is subsequently ‘lost’ in the system.
One of the components of NRW is water losses, real and apparent.
Apparent losses is water that is actually used, or consumed, but cannot be accounted for and is generally as a result of a combination of customer meter inaccuracies, unauthorised consumption or water theft, and data handling errors.
“The aim of this project is to target and replace all aged domestic meters that are currently under-reading water consumption, so as to increase the volume of water billed, and thus accounted for, by the metro,” said MMC for water and sanitation Clr Tiisetso Nketle.
“In the 2015/16 financial year, over 5 000 meters were replaced under this project.
“This year we are doubling that number to ensure that more consumers are able to access and read their meters,” continued Nketle, emphasising that this practice will make residents aware of their consumption and encourage them to save water.
The project began in February in some areas and is expected to be completed by June 2018.
Meters that have been in operation for 20 years or more in Katlehong, Spruitview, Germiston, Alberton, Boksburg, Edenvale, Brakpan, Kempton Park, Tembisa, Nigel, Duduza and Springs will be replaced.
These meters have already been identified by the metro’s water and sanitation department.
Residents should expect at least a two-hour interruption during the installation.
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